What you need to know
According to city documents, SAMMWC is a collaboration of local nonprofit agencies that provide free mental health support for children in San Antonio schools. The contract will run until Sept. 30, with funding from the FY 2024-25 general fund adopted budget.
Types of services include:
- Mental health screenings and treatment
- On-site counseling for individuals and support groups
- Faculty/staff training to help screen students for behavioral health concerns
- Substance abuse prevention education and intervention
- Psychiatric medication management treatment and referrals
- Screenings to identify adverse childhood experiences
- Longer-term care, wraparound support navigation assistance and wellness education for parents and guardians
The background
According to city documents, the SAMMWC was created in 2019 after a request for greater mental health services from students attending South San Antonio ISD. SAMMWC was formed as a way to provide no-cost mental health services for students attending San Antonio public schools, and in 2021 Metro Health began contracting with the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas to serve as the core agency coordinating mental health services provided by SAMMWC.
SAMMWC annually provides:
- Service for 500 students, district staff and/or family members
- A Youth Leadership Program for up to 20 students
- 50 education and training sessions for school districts
- 12 community outreach events
